Primera FEB remains with three undefeated teams. Movistar Estudiantes settled the matchday's clash of unbeaten teams against Iberolea Palencia, while HLA Alicante and Grupo Alega Cantabria also added their fourth consecutive victory. But what will be remembered from this fourth matchday are the finishes: two games were decided on buzzer-beaters, one of them with a 22-meter three-pointer.
Estudiantes rallies in undefeated showdown
The marquee game was played on Sunday. Iberolea Palencia, which also arrived undefeated, dominated the first half and went into halftime leading 35-48, after leading by ten in the second quarter. But Movistar Estudiantes changed the game in the third quarter with a 27-12 run and entered the final period ahead (62-60). Omar Silverio, with 27 points, 17 of them in that third quarter, led a comeback that the university team closed out with strong defense in the final minutes (86-77). Estudiantes achieved this despite the absences of Fernando Zurbriggen and Petit Niang and the injury to Micah Speight in practice.
Alicante and Cantabria don't miss
HLA Alicante suffered at the Pazo, where Pedro Rivero's return coincided with a tight game for 39 minutes against COB. The Alicante side decided it with better accuracy down the stretch, and neither a three-pointer from Leimanis nor free throws could turn the scoreboard around (79-83).
Grupo Alega Cantabria, meanwhile, added its fourth consecutive victory against Partizan Fuenlabrada in Torrelavega. Lolo Encinas' team took advantage of their good momentum and Miha Lapornik sealed the game with his accuracy in the final minutes (84-79).
Hollanders' 22-meter three-pointer
The most spectacular finish came on Friday at El Plantío. Grupo Ureta Tizona, which had already lost in Granada the previous week after missing four three-pointers to force overtime, saw victory slip away again in the final second. A three-pointer from Aris forced the first overtime. In the extra period, Pablo Hernández appeared to score the game-winner with a couple of seconds remaining, but Sander Hollanders answered with a shot from 22 meters on the buzzer. Alimerka Oviedo, with an enormous PJ Smith (44 rating), won 100-101.
Also read:
- Fresh faces, thrilling derbies and a stellar undefeated showdown at the Movistar Arena
- Partizan Fuenlabrada falls to Caja 87 in the final second (77-74)
- Castilla's cauldron ignites a fiery matchday
Nuga wins Andalusian derby
On Saturday there was another game-winner. Cajasol Coto Córdoba took the Andalusian derby against Insolac Caja 87 with a bucket from Mike Nuga with two-tenths of a second remaining (83-81), in a game that was tight from start to finish.
Road victories and home wins
Palmer Basket Mallorca added its second victory of the season on the road at Inveready Gipuzkoa (90-94). Without Joan Sastre still available, they knew how to wait for their moment against a rival whose work from the centers wasn't enough. Fibwi Mallorca Palma also won away, taking the Balearic derby in Mahón (67-72). Shilo Jackson dominated in the paint and neutralized the great game from Wildens Leveque at Bàsquet Menorca.
At home, Cajasiete Gran Canaria felt very comfortable against Bueno Arenas Albacete (97-75). Fran Guerra generated offense and five three-pointers from Marques Townes opened up the gap. In Zamora, the home team took advantage of Covirán Granada's absences to win 89-81, with Ismael Tamba strong near the basket and a debut from Ty Roberts of 20 points.